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The Obama campaign used Clinton to buoy the Democratic convention, then had him star in the president’s post-convention ad buy — and not just because the former president remains immensely popular. As the campaign acknowledges, Clinton brings credibility to the connection between an Obama presidency and a strong economy, reinforcing the idea that there’s a straight line between Obama’s proposals and Clinton’s legacy of budget surpluses and middle class prosperity.

“I can’t recall a time when someone who’s not on the ballot has been this important,” said Paul Begala, the former Clinton strategist and current adviser to the pro-Obama super PAC Priorities USA Action.

First lady Michelle Obama’s approval ratingsrival Clinton’s, but there’s no mistaking that Clinton is Obama’s most important surrogate, the one that he’s leaning on. For all the questions swirling about Mitt Romney’s personal appeal and the circular firing squad of Republicans raising doubts about his economic argument, Obama remains vulnerable on the economy and lacks Clinton’s natural ability to connect with people, despite the president’s high likability ratings.

Clinton — whose popularity has moved up steadily almost every year since the end of his scandal-ridden presidency — is a uniquely effective messenger.

“There’s a testimony that Clinton and only Clinton can give, which is: ‘I know how to build an economy that works, and this president is doing the right things,’” Begala said. “It allows the debate to be eight years of Democratic economics, which is exactly the stuff that President Obama is trying to enact, versus eight years of Republican economics, which is exactly the stuff that Romney wants to go back to.”

And the Obama campaign isn’t pretending otherwise. The Obama ad that featured a laid back Clinton chatting about helping the middle class — building up to “that’s what happened when I was president” — has already aired almost 16,000 times in its first month on the air, making it the most-run spot of the campaign, Bloomberg News reported Thursday.

The Obama campaign has been eager to use Clinton on additional stops after his post-convention swing through Florida, and the planning is underway for where those will be for after the New Hampshire trip next week. Clinton put his name on the latest reelection fundraising email. He‘ll be on the trail with Obama and is being used to promote the next small-donation raffle prize.

Obama shows desperation as he clutches onto Bill Clinton - who occasionally told the truth. Obama, who occupies the empty chair eyed by Hillary Clinton needs all the help he can get. Ohio is so firmly in the Obama pocket he continues to go back there. What would Obama do without a compliant, dedicated and biased media?

Democrats are proud of their last president, and use him to demonstrate that not only is their current candidate, President Obama, honorable, effective, and right (for the most part), but so is the last person they nominated and the people elected.

On the other hand we have the Republicans, whose last president, George Bush, was so low, vile, incompetent, and repulsive in just about everything he said and did that NOBODY wants him anywhere near them.

Its not only about Clinton. Clinton was already there when Obama and Romney were running close a few months ago. Before he made a trip around the world. No one should be President of this country that has chosen to bet against this country in Cayman, Bermuda and Swiss banks. And then failed to mention our troops while accepting a nomination to potentially be their commander in chief.

And then proposing a mathematically impossible tax cuts combined with increased defense spending that will lower their own taxes in spite of paying less than many working Americans.

Romney economics does not pass arithmetic balance and will be bad for this country and set up back on the horrible path that saw the crash in 2008.

Proof that repub policies of TAX CUTS for the wealthy and WASTEFUL DEFENSE SPENDING to not work.

Dont blame the Dems for being able to show their Presidents. Even Obama can show up for downballot candidates. Mitt is already becoming a pariah just like Bush (and he's not even elected nor going to).

Begala invited Mitt Romney to bring his own available former president on the campaign trail, and even offered to pay for George W. Bush’s plane ticket to Ohio. That’s the point, he said: Clinton enables the Obama campaign to make an empirical argument for the president’s reelection. Obama could be making that case on his own, Begala said, “but why would you? Would we have won the Second World War without the atomic bomb? Sure, but it sure helps having one, and the other side didn’t.” Politico that's not called a crutch. It's been smart. Without a crutch you couldnt make it. Even the article does not state or show it is a crutch. More sensational journalism and headline hunting for clicks and ads.

obama, the liar and thief in chief relies on Clinton, the sleaze ball and dirt bag in chief.

What a slimey pair. The perfect Dimocrat party poster boys. Two lame brain crooks and liars.

And the pity of it all is that there are about 45% of all Americans who put their vote in their favor knowing full well how corrupt, INEPT, unethical and dishonest they are.

Too many Americans don't give a damn about America and only care about a free phone or free welfare check. Dispicable and a total disgrace. America is collapsing due to these gold bricking mentally retarded Americans who have stopped thinking.

Clinton and Obama started the same by raising taxes. Both saw revenue and growth decrease and lost at least a part of Congress in the next election. Clinton got smarted and lowered taxes. He got increased revenue and economic growth. Obama stayed dumb and we have very little economic growth and continuing high unemployment.

Look when we have a President who blames everyone else for the economy, high unemployment Solyndra, fast and Furious, Benghazi Ambassador ambush, he has to have a crutch to throw the old time Democrats who actually think about things.

Blame only goes so far. Clinton had a good economic record, and a real record of impeachment.

Heck who cares, the Democrats will believe anything. Obama's proved that. All he has to do is blame somebody else. or give out free stuff for votes.

Its not only about Clinton. Clinton was already there when Obama and Romney were running close a few months ago. Before he made a trip around the world. No one should be President of this country that has chosen to bet against this country in Cayman, Bermuda and Swiss banks. And then failed to mention our troops while accepting a nomination to potentially be their commander in chief.

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Come on now, JRichter7!

I'm gonna go out on a limb and bet your don't have $250 Million, but if you did, you would absolutely keep some of it overseas. ABSOLUTELY.

Too bad Bill Clinton isn't on the ticket. Does anybody truly believe that if Obama were to win a second term, he would take any of Clinton's advice? He is using him like he uses everybody for political expediency!!

Hey Mr. Clinton... dont ya see that this Muslim Obama is using you and your darling wife!!!!

He will soon be using Hilary as the scapegoat for this BENGAHZI -GATE

COME ON MR. CLINTON YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR WIFE TO LEAVE THE STATE NOW AND THEN EXPOSE ALL OF THIS MUSLIM SO CALL PRESIDENT AIMS.. BEFORE HE DESTROY HILLARY CHANCES FOR A FUTURE RUN FOR PRESIDENT.... IF SHE STAYS ON AD BE TE SCAPEGOAT IT WILL REALLY HURT HER AND YOUR REPUTATION.. AS YOU ONCE SAID.... "I HAVE NO RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PRESIDENT --NONE WHATSOEVER. OBAMA DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO BE A PRESIDENT. HE DOESN' KNOW HOW THE WORLD WORKS..HE'S INCOMPETENT. BARACK OBAMA IS AN AMETUER"

Really Sir Clinton... if you and Hilary feel so much this way why the heck are you asking he american people to vote for this nutty head!!!!!!!!!

Some of you really need to say how you feel. Bill Clinton was not perfect as President. He made some gregious errors that nearly cost him his Presidency. But the country did benefit from prosperity and peace during his 8 years.

Like many partisans, though I am not a Democrat, I eagerly watched Mr. Bill's speech to the convention.HE WAS ON FIRE! In a discussion with a few like minded friends the next weekend, that speech probably swayed some voters, the 9-12% of independents that elect a president, though the number seems to be decreasing every four years.

At 67, Bill Clinton is now the 'elder stateman' of the Democratic Party.